Indonesian Army Claims OPM Leader Surrenders in Papua

Jakarta Globe, Banjir Ambarita, Mar 24, 2015

A member of the Free Papua Movement, second from right, surrenders
to the Indonesian Military. (Antara Photo/Iwan Adisaputra)

Jayapura. The Indonesian military has claimed a prominent leader of the pro-independence Free Papua Movement, or OPM, has turned himself in to authorities and renounced his struggle against Indonesian rule in Papua.

Goliat Tabuni, his family, and 23 followers surrendered to authorities on Sunday, according to Brig. Gen. Tatang Sulaiman, chief staff of Cendrawasih Military Command.

Tatang claimed on Monday that the group surrendered because they wanted to “live properly like other Indonesians.”

Goliat is a seasoned OPM leader who has claimed responsibility for killing troops from the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) in the past.

Tatang said Goliat had requested the military build him and his family a honai, or traditional Papuan home, in Tinginambut district, where the OPM leader has been operating. TNI representatives were still negotiating with Tabuni.

The veracity of the army’s claim has been questioned by other OPM commanders, however, who have challenged the TNI to prove it.

OPM Commander Puron Wenda said he was unsure about the military’s statement. He said he had not been in contact with Tabuni, who led his own fighting cell, for a long time.

“Goliat might feel he is already independent and that is why he used the title of general, but for us our fight has just been started,” he said.

Enden Wanimbo, another OPM military leader, challenged the TNI to show evidence.

“Where is the evidence? Is there any videos or pictures,” he asked.

Both military leaders said the OPM would not give up fighting for a free Papua.

“We are not asking for money, position, or a new district, we just want Papua to be independent,” Puron told the Jakarta Globe Tuesday.

The OPM has been waging a low-intensity guerilla war against Indonesia since Papua was annexed in 1969.